From Christmas to New Year’s, there is no shortage of opportunities to celebrate with loved ones. To mark these festive moments, the French uncork champagne, but not only that! Let’s take a closer look at the most beloved drinks of the holiday season.
In this end-of-year period, it’s time to celebrate. Christmas and New Year’s are indeed synonymous with reunions and special moments with family or friends. The perfect occasion to uncork a good bottle of champagne! An unwavering star of the holiday season, the glass of bubbles is not the only one delighting the taste buds of guests. A quick overview of the standout beverages of the festivities.
Warm Honey and Pomegranate Mulled Wine
Running neck and neck with beer, wine is the second favorite alcoholic beverage of the French – and the top choice for French women – according to the latest SOWINE/Dynata barometer. In the evening, during the aperitif, or with meals, it accompanies all the convivial moments.
As the temperatures drop, it’s also highly appreciated in its warm version! Whether following the traditional recipe or, to change things up a bit, by adding honey and pomegranate, for example. A comforting drink to enjoy by the fireplace after a good meal!
Christmas Apple Juice
Christmas doesn’t necessarily mean alcohol. For those who want to enjoy the festivities in a “soft” mode, mulled wine can be replaced with warm apple juice. Enhanced with spices like cinnamon or star anise, it delights guests, adults and children alike!
Sangria
A festive Spanish drink, sangria brings a spicy and warm note to the holiday season. With a bottle of red wine, sparkling water, pomegranate, cinnamon, oranges, and apples, it’s possible to create a delicious Christmas sangria to enjoy as an aperitif or dessert.
Christmas Beer Cocktail
Even though wine holds a special place in the hearts of the French, as mentioned before, it’s beer that truly captivates minds! More than half of the French regularly toast with this festive and popular beverage, which attracts more and more followers each year. For the holidays, Christmas beer pairs wonderfully with cranberry juice and orgeat syrup to create an explosive cocktail, perfect as an aperitif or during the meal.
Eggnog
Festive and convivial, the holiday season is also an opportunity to taste fine spirits, whether straight as a digestif or in a cocktail. Since 2019, the consumption of strong alcohol has been on the rise among the French, with a clear preference for rum (80%). At Christmas or New Year’s, rum blends with cane sugar syrup, milk, nutmeg, cinnamon, and an egg yolk to create a delicious eggnog.